Introducing values in cultural and creative art

Visitors to the January 14 event, including Vietnamese and French, were impressed with a show of the “ao dai” (a traditional costume of Vietnam), performances of the country’s martial art Vovinam, and traditional dishes, among others. The program also aimed to mark the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties and 10 years since the establishment of the strategic partnership. Éric Pliez, Mayor of the 20th arrondissement of Paris, said he was delighted to attend the Tet celebration and witness the development of the APCV, one of the 3,000 associations operating in the arrondissement. Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang highly valued the APCV’s organization of the program, especially when Vietnam and France are marking 50 years of their diplomatic relations and 10 years of the strategic partnership in 2023. He said what the association has done to popularize and preserve the Vietnamese culture are highly encouraging, and that contribution by each people … [Read more...] about Tet celebration introduces Vietnamese culture in Paris

Products of the Bau Truc pottery village of the Cham ethnic people in Ninh Phuoc district, south central Ninh Thuan province (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The inscription of the art of pottery making of the Cham people on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding will promote measures to preserve the heritage, create more sources for the preservation and promotion of the heritage’s value, and support economic and cultural development toward sustainability and inclusiveness in localities and residential communities. Inscribing Vietnam’s first craft The Chairman of the 17th session of the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage hammers to recognise the art of pottery making of Cham ethnic people as the intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. (Photo: VNA) Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Chief Representative of the Vietnamese Delegation to UNESCO, said that the art of … [Read more...] about UNESCO-recognised Cham people’s pottery making art: Preserving unique craft

The art exhibition themed “Draw the Cats” opens at Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam or Temple of Literature – the first university in Vietnam - on January 17 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – An art exhibition themed “Draw the Cats” opened at Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam or Temple of Literature – the first university in Vietnam - on January 17 to welcome the upcoming Lunar New Year 2023 – the Year of the Cat . Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong, Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies (VICAS), said that the exhibition is a space to popularise the image of the cat - the zodiac animal for the upcoming Lunar New Year. On display are 76 outstanding art works including lacquers, oil paints, acrylics and coloured wood carvings, which were selected from hundreds of entries from 900 applications. The Cat is the fourth animal symbol in the 12-year cycle of the Vietnamese zodiac, taking place of the Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac and it’s believed to be … [Read more...] about Art exhibition celebrates the Year of the Cat opens in Hanoi

A mass performance of Xoe Thai dance in Yen Bai province (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Xoe dance is a unique art form in the cultural and religious life of the Thai ethnic group in Nghia Lo town of Yen Bai province in particular and the northwestern region in general. With the art of Xoe dance recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Thai ethnic minorities and people of other ethnic groups in Yen Bai province are determined to make every effort to preserve and further promote the art in the contemporary life. Special cultural feature of Thai ethnic minorities in northwestern region From ancient times, the Thai people in Muong Lo have had folk songs as follows: “Without Xoe, crops cannot grow well/ Without Xoe, harvest will fail/ Without Xoe, flowers will become withered/ Without Xoe, boys and girls cannot fall into love with each other.” The art of Xoe dance symbolises the beauty, containing the artistic values of dance, music, singing, costumes, … [Read more...] about Art of Xoe Thai dance contributes to humanity’s cultural diversity

Promoting the advanced culture deeply imbued with national identity lays foundation for Vietnam to build cultural industry into a pillar of the economy. (Photo: VietnamPlus) Hanoi (VNA) - Cultural industries need to be clearly protected and defined, and their significant roles in the national development promoted internationally, so revenues can become one of the pillars of economic growth, according to insiders. At a National Cultural Conference held in November last year in Hanoi, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong underlined the need to continue building, preserving and developing an advanced culture deeply imbued with national identity, making it a spiritual foundation and a motivation to light people’s path ahead. Painter Ta Huy Long introduces his art work at the Saturday Workshop. (Photo: VNA) According to Khanh, the Saturday Workshop was created in the hopes of becoming a space that nurtures art talents to build a strong creative industry … [Read more...] about Culture industries critical for national development face hurdles

The ancient statues in Dong Nien pagoda are hundreds of years old, boasting value in terms of culture, history, and sculpture. (Photo: Manh Minh/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The complex of Dong Nien Communal House and Pagoda in Hai Duong city of the northern province of Hai Duong, built in the sixth century, is an ancient architecture with a system of delicate sculptures showing the talent of senior artisans. With unique and ancient folk-art architecture, Dong Nien communal house is not only a historical and cultural relic but also a spiritual tourist destination in Hai Duong city. Located in Viet Hoa ward, Hai Duong city, the cluster of Dong Nien communal house and pagoda was ranked as a National Historic Site in 1994. Dong Nien Pagoda was built in the Later Le Dynasty and restored in the years 1800, 1924. Experiencing changes in history, the relic site still preserves precious artifacts. Over hundreds of years, Dong Nien communal house and pagoda remains a spiritual address … [Read more...] about Ancient pagoda features both cultural and spiritual values

Associate Prof., Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong, Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies (VICAS), said that the exhibition is a space to popularize the image of the cat - the zodiac animal for the upcoming lunar New Year. On display are 76 outstanding art works including lacquers, oil paints, acrylics and colored wood carvings, which were selected from hundreds of entries from 900 applications. The cat is the fourth animal symbol in the 12-year cycle of the Vietnamese zodiac, taking place of the rabbit in the Chinese zodiac and it’s believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded and ingenious. Le Xuan Kieu, Director of Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, said the event is expected to turn the premise into a space to inspire creativity among youngsters. The exhibition will run through January 29 at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam and at VICAS Art Studio from January 31 to February 28. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about Art exhibition celebrating the Year of the Cat opens in Hanoi

Chung Rut Pagoda features some of the most elaborate cultural characteristics among the Khmer pagodas in Tay Ninh province. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Touching upon the Khmer culture in the southwestern province of Tay Ninh, one would be remiss not to mention the most popular tourist attraction of the region – pagodas. For the Khmer people, pagodas hold a very important position in their spiritual life, serving as a venue for community cultural activities and a place to maintain their cultural identity. Tay Ninh is home to six beautiful Khmer pagodas in Tan Bien, Tan Chau, and Chau Thanh districts, and Tay Ninh city. All were built in the Khmer Buddhist cultural architecture. The main hall of Botum Kiri Rangsay Pagoda in Thanh Tan is the largest and most splendid, while Chung Rut Pagoda in Hoa Hiep commune, Tan Bien district, is the concentration of the most cultural factors. The full name of Chung Rut Pagoda is Risathia Ratanaut Dom Chung Rut Risathia Ratanaut. Dom … [Read more...] about Chung Rut Pagoda, a wonder of Khmer cultural characteristics

Through 180 years of formation and development, Tay Ninh has formed a unique and typical culinary culture, especially vegetarian food. Tay Ninh is home to 127 pagodas and Buddhist worshipping facilities. Buddhists often have vegetarian food on the first and 15th days of each lunar month. The province is also considered the cradle of the Cao Dai religion, and vegetarianism is one of the regulations for Cao Dai followers. According to the old custom, Cao Dai people believe that January is their fasting month, and since then, the profession of cooking traditional vegetarian dishes has been respected and famous. They go vegan every month for 10 days on the 1st, 8th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 23rd, 24th, 28th, 29th, and 30th days of the lunar month. In months that have 29 days, they will take the 27th day as an additional vegan day. Previously, on vegan days, Long Hoa, a major local market, sold nothing but vegetarian food. Religions and beliefs have made considerable contribution to the … [Read more...] about Discovering art of making vegetarian dishes in Tay Ninh

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - After a year implementing the strategy on cultural diplomacy to 2030, issued by the Prime Minister in November 2021, Vietnam has achieved marked results in the field, helping promote its relations with other countries across all channels of the Party, Government, National Assembly, and people, affirmed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc. In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, the official noted that Vietnam has focused on including the cultural content into the activities of high-ranking leaders during their overseas trips and the country’s reception of foreign leaders; and on promoting deep and wide integration in the fields of culture, science and education at international forums. According to him, Vietnam hosted significant regional and international conferences and events last year, including the 31st SEA Games and the Vietnam day programme in the Republic of Korea, … [Read more...] about Cultural diplomacy raises Vietnam’s position worldwide